Russia and Iran have signed key documents granting access to land plots along the planned route of the Rasht-Astara railway line, paving the way for further engineering work on the strategic transport project.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Nikitin announced the agreement, according to Interfax.

A package of project documents was finalized in Tehran. Russia's Caspian Services and Iran's Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructure Company (CDTIC) signed a protocol granting access to land plots along the entire railway route for advance engineering surveys, as well as an additional agreement to their contract.

"The land plots have been handed over, allowing advance engineering surveys to continue and extending the timeframe for the necessary work," Nikitin said.

He added that Russian specialists had already established a geodetic reference network and conducted aerial photography this year. Hydrometeorological surveys and topographic mapping are currently underway.

Russia and Iran launched preliminary survey work for the Rasht-Astara railway project in Iran in May 2025.

The project envisages construction of a 162-kilometer railway line, eight new stations, 56 viaducts, 73 bridges and 30 overpasses.

The railway section will form part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a major route designed to strengthen transport and trade links between Russia, Iran and other regional markets.